As we move through the heart of winter, many of us may find ourselves feeling the weight of shorter days, colder weather, and the unique challenges of this time of year. At NHS Lanarkshire, we recognise that looking after our mental health is just as important as caring for our physical wellbeing.
To support you during this season, Liam Mackay, Assistant Psychologist, and Dr Simon Stuart, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, from our Psychological Services team, have shared their five top tips for managing winter stress. From prioritising self-care to staying connected and active, these practical strategies are designed to help you find moments of joy and calm amidst the demands of everyday life.
We hope these insights encourage you to take some time for yourself this winter and remind you that it’s okay to slow down and focus on what truly matters. Read on for advice and resources that could make a difference not just for you, but for your colleagues, friends, and loved ones.
- Be kind to yourself
As winter sets in, it is normal to feel our mood dip. This is particularly true in the context of the challenging and uncertain times in which we are all living. We can’t help the thoughts and emotions that show up – but our default response is so often to criticise ourselves, and give ourselves a hard time for having them. This just makes things feel worse! Rather than beating yourself up, try to make a conscious choice to be gentle with yourself. Take a moment to take a breath, and check in with yourself: “What can I do, in this moment, that I might enjoy, and to look after myself?”
- Do those activities that bring you joy
Darker days and colder weather can make it harder to find the motivation to do the things we normally find fulfilling. This is especially true if we are already feeling stressed, low or anxious. However, getting out and connecting with those activities is always beneficial for our mental health. Whether it be going to a favourite cafe, listening to a podcast, or cuddling a pet – do those things that bring you joy. To help overcome lack of motivation, it can be really helpful to make a gentle commitment by planning the day and time that you would like to do something nice, putting it in your calendar … and then, when the time comes, giving it a go even if you don’t feel like it.
- Stay connected with others (on your own terms)
It’s normal to feel lonely in winter, and to feel like we’re missing out while everyone else seems to be having fun. Our minds can come up with lots of reasons of why we shouldn’t reach out to others: “I don’t want to be a burden”, for instance, or “They’ll be too busy”. But if there’s someone that you want to connect with: why not drop them a message or even give them a call, no matter what your thoughts are bringing up? It might just make their day – and yours too.
- Stay active
When thinking of ways to look after our mental health, it is easy to overlook our physical health. Yet whether it’s doing a sport we enjoy, or wrapping up and taking a crisp winter walk, being physically active reaps huge benefits for our mood. It’s important to look after our physical health in other ways too – including eating healthily (while allowing ourselves the occasional treat, of course!) and keeping our alcohol intake sensible. Have a look at https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol for further helpful advice.
- Be present in the moment
This is a key piece of advice that applies to all the points above – and to so much more! When we’re stressed, we can get completely tangled up in our thoughts, continually worrying or chewing things over. Again, though, this often leaves us feeling worse – and also means we’re losing out on what’s going on around us. When we’re not connected with the moment, we can miss out on all the small moments of joy: hugging someone we love, hearing a favourite song, or truly enjoying some festive chocolate. With all of the distractions and the fast-paced way of living that the modern day presents us with, making a conscious choice to slow down and really connect with what we are doing in any moment can be hugely powerful.
